DegreeOptions
To apply to Political Science, students must successfully complete a Social Sciences Level I program, including Political Science 1AA3 or 1AB3
Honours Political Science B.A.
Grade Point
Average of 5 0 (C) including a grade of at least 5.0 (C) in one of POL SCI 1AA3 or 1AB3.
Honours Political Science B.A. with Co-op
Grade Point Average of 5.0 (C) including a grade of at least 5 0 (C) in one of POL SCI 1AA3 or 1AB3 Enrollment is limited.
Honours Political Science Specialization in Public Law and Judicial Studies B.A.
Enrolment in this program is limited and possession of the published minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Selection is based on academic achievement but requires, as a minimum, completion on any Level I program with a Grade Point Average of at least 5.0 (C) and a grade of at least 5 0 (C) in one of POLSCI 1AA3 or 1AB3
Honours Political Science Specialization in Global Citizenship B.A.
Enrolment in this program is limited and possession of the published minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Selection is based on academic achievement but requires, as a minimum, completion of any Level I program with a Grade Point average of at least a 5.0 including a grade of C or greater in POLSCI 1AB3 (or 1G06 A/B) Students are strongly encouraged to complete POLSCI 1AA3 and GLOBALZN 1A03 in Level I.
Combined Honours B.A. in Political Science and another subject
Grade Point Average of 5 0 (C) including a grade of at least 5.0 (C) in one of POL SCI 1AA3 or 1AB3. Satisfaction of admission requirements for the Honours program in the other B.A. subject.
Minors
Political Science is crucial for solving the world’s most complex social problems faced by people, firms and governments Effective solutions require analyzing legal systems, political power and personal motivations, both domestically and globally. Our program considers the key issues that will impact the future of Canada and other countries around the globe.
LevelICourses
Political Science 1AA3: Government, Politics and Power
Explore political ideals and institutions and ask yourself; what does politics look like in Canada?
Concepts explored include: democracy, equality, patriarchy and more. We ask questions about how these concepts impact and influence Canadian institutions Think about how one can organize a society based off these ideals
Political Science 1AB3: Politics and Power in a Globalizing World
Discover the political and economic structures shaping our globalizing world. We think about war, peace, terrorism, human rights issues and more on a global scale. Why are some countries so vastly different from each other and how does that affect the world and its people?
DualProgram–Honours PoliticalScience(University
ofBirminghamLLBOption)
Earn 2 degrees:
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Science (McMaster) + Bachelor of Laws (LLB) (University of Birmingham)
Program structure:
Years 1–2: Study at McMaster; top 30 students (by GPA) selected for the joint degree
Years 3–5: Study Law at University of Birmingham (UK); housing guaranteed in first year abroad
Year 6: Return to McMaster to complete final BA courses and prepare for NCA (Canadian accreditation).
Career pathways:
Legal practice in Canada (after accreditation) International law firms, NGOs, or government Policy, advocacy, consulting, or grad studies
BeyondFirstYear
Choose from a variety of courses, such as:
The Causes of War
Gender and Politics
Democratization and Human Rights
International Politics
Death and Violence • Cosmopolitism
Judicial Studies
Advanced Issues in Global Security
Indigenous Human Rights
Genocide: Sociological and Political Perspectives
Ethnicity and Multiculturalism
Global Climate Change
Careers&Experiential Education
Through Careers & Experiential Education programs, you can participate in paid internships, a tuition-free career planning course, academic placements and job shadowing
Students can apply to participate in a co-op program option. Each program option involves full-time “work terms” added into the structure of an academic program. Get hands on experience within your field of interest
Work with political parties, MPs, MPPs, city councillors or non-governmental organizations in POLSCI 3PR3
Earn academic credit while working in the field of Political Science in POLSCI 3WP3
CertifiedInternational Experience(CIE)
“StudyingPoliticalSciencewitha specializationinPublicLawandJudicial StudiesatMcMasterhasbeenpivotalin myacademicdevelopment,equipping mewiththenecessaryskillstonavigate complexpoliticalchallenges.Through diversecourseofferingsandengaging discussions,theprogramhasdeepened mypassionfor(theintersectionalityof) lawandpoliticsandsolidifiedmy interesttopursuelawschool”
-VanessaG.(PoliticalScienceStudent)
Students enrolled in the Public Law & Judicial Studies and Global Citizenship Specializations can apply to spend one or two semesters at one of our three partner universities in the UK: University of Birmingham, University of Glasgow, or University of Liverpool
PotentialCareers
Community Activist
Diplomat
Human Rights Advocate
International Analyst
Journalist
Lawyer
Policy Specialist
Political Consultant
Political Leader
Public Servant